Monroe County farm tour slated Oct. 19

The Monroe County Conservation District and the Penn State Cooperative Extension will host the 2013 Monroe County Self-Guided Farm Tour from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19.

The Monroe County Conservation District and the Penn State Cooperative Extension will host the 2013 Monroe County Self-Guided Farm Tour from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19.

Participants will visit local farms to learn about their available products and farm management.

The following farms will are on the tour:

Apple Ridge Farm, 1198 Pennel Road, Saylorsburg. Participants may tour the farm property to see the various components of the farm, such as certified naturally grown produce, hydroponically grown produce and pasture-raised chicken and eggs — and how they all fit together to create a sustainable system. Information: 610-381-6152 or appleridge.net. Big Creek Vineyard and Winery, 120 Keller Road, Kresgeville. The grape grower-winemaker will be available to answer questions about growing grapes in a challenging environment and to discuss winemaking. Information: 610-681-3959 or bigcreekvineyard.com. Eagle Rest Tree Plantation, 188 Eagles Rest Lane, Stroudsburg. This plantation grows primarily Christmas trees. The farm owner will demonstrate tree shearing, mowing and herbicide application used to raise Christmas trees. Information: 570-424-8121. Josie Porter Farm, 6514 Cherry Valley Road, Stroudsburg. The mission of the biodynamically managed vegetable farm is to provide a connection to the land and food through education, farming and community. There will be farm tours, the store will be open, and Penn State Master Gardeners will be available to answer questions at several interactive displays such as "Good Bugs — Bad Bugs." Information: 570-992-0899 or josieporterfarm.com. Mountain View Vineyard, 5866 Neola Road, Stroudsburg. The owner-winemaker will discuss the types of grapes that grow well in the local zone. Wine tours are for adults only and will be conducted at noon and 3 p.m. Information: 570-619-0053 or mountainviewvineyard.com. Stryker Farm, 3045 Mountain Road, Saylorsburg. Tour participants will learn about the challenges of producing naturally raised and fed-meat goats and pigs. Information: 570-269-2995 or strykerfarm.com. The Garden of Giving, 2556 Rising Hill Drive, Saylorsburg. This organization provides fresh produce and eggs to Monroe County food banks. Participants will learn about The Garden of Giving's mission and plant garlic for harvesting next year. Information: 570-402-1282 or thegardenofgiving.org.

For general information, call 570-629-3060, email vmmccd@ptd.net or visit mcconservation.org.

Send information about home/garden-related events to Helen Yanulus at hyanulus@poconorecord.com.